Key identification system

Abstract

A key identification system that includes a key identification system housing, a key clamp, a key ring support tray, and two digital identifiers is disclosed. The key identification system housing may include a key receiving aperture extending through housing and sized to receive at least some of a key blade of a key. The key clamp is positioned adjacent to the key receiving aperture and allows the system to maintain the key blade in a fixed position within the key identification system housing when the key is inserted into the key receiving aperture. The key ring support tray is typically coupled to the key identification system housing below the key receiving aperture. The two digital identifiers are positioned within the key identification system housing and designed to capture key blade information.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A key alignment clamp, comprising:
 a first arm; 
 a movable second arm adjacent the first arm; 
 a movable third arm adjacent the movable second arm; 
 a movable fourth arm adjacent the movable third arm and the first arm; and 
 an alignment aperture configured to receive a key blade of a key, a perimeter of the alignment aperture being defined by at least a portion of each of the first, second, third, and fourth arms; 
 wherein the second, third, and fourth arms are biased toward the alignment aperture such that when the key is inserted into the alignment aperture, the second, third, and fourth arms move outward from the alignment aperture and each of the first, second, third, and fourth arms contact at least one side of the key blade. 
 
     
     
       2. The key alignment clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the first, second, third, and fourth arms form a plane and the second and third arms are movable within the plane in two perpendicular directions and the fourth arm is movable within the plane in a single direction. 
     
     
       3. The key alignment clamp of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a first biasing member extending between the second arm and a first protrusion on the first arm; 
 a second biasing member extending between the third arm and a second protrusion on the second arm; 
 a third biasing member extending between the fourth arm and a third protrusion on the third arm; and 
 a fourth biasing member extending between the first arm and a fourth protrusion on the fourth arm. 
 
     
     
       4. The key alignment clamp of  claim 1 , wherein relative to a position of the first arm, the second arm is moveable in four directions, the third arm is moveable in four directions and the fourth arm is moveable in at least two directions. 
     
     
       5. The key alignment clamp of  claim 4 , wherein the first arm has a fixed position. 
     
     
       6. The key alignment clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the first arm has a fixed position. 
     
     
       7. A key alignment clamp, comprising:
 a first arm; 
 a movable second arm adjacent the first arm; 
 a movable third arm adjacent the movable second arm; 
 a movable fourth arm adjacent the movable third arm and the first arm; and 
 an alignment aperture configured to receive a key blade and comprising a boundary formed by at least a portion of each of the first, second, third, and fourth arms, 
 wherein the first, second, third, and fourth arms form a plane, and the alignment aperture extends through the plane. 
 
     
     
       8. The key alignment clamp of  claim 7 , wherein the second, third, and fourth arms are biased toward the alignment aperture such that when the key blade is inserted into the alignment aperture, the second, third, and fourth arms move outward from the alignment aperture and at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth arms contact at least one side of the key blade. 
     
     
       9. The key alignment clamp of  claim 8 , further including a plurality of biasing members configured to bias the second, third, and fourth arms toward the alignment aperture. 
     
     
       10. The key alignment clamp of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the biasing members includes a spring. 
     
     
       11. The key alignment clamp of  claim 7 , wherein the first arm is fixed. 
     
     
       12. The key alignment clamp of  claim 11 , wherein relative to a position of the first arm, the second arm is moveable in four directions, the third arm is moveable in four directions and the fourth arm is moveable in at least two directions. 
     
     
       13. The key alignment clamp of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a first biasing member extending between the second arm and a first protrusion on the first arm; 
 a second biasing member extending between the third arm and a second protrusion on the second arm; 
 a third biasing member extending between the fourth arm and a third protrusion on the third arm; and 
 a fourth biasing member extending between the first arm and a fourth protrusion on the fourth arm. 
 
     
     
       14. The key alignment clamp of  claim 7 , further including a stop configured maintain a separation between the first arm and the second arm. 
     
     
       15. The key alignment clamp of  claim 14 , wherein the stop includes a pin.